Africa: A Force of Nature

Updated on June 6, 2011

I’m from Nigeria, in case you
haven’t figured that out yet, the most populated black nation on Earth, with
over 140 million people; based on the report from the last (controversial)
census – encompassing an area of about 923,768 square km, which for the benefit
of my American friends is roughly 356,669 square miles; which is quite large.
Not as large as the US, but at least larger than Texas. Nigeria is located on
the coast of Western Africa, bordered in the North by Niger Republic, in the
East by Chad and Cameroun, the South by the gulf of Guinea, and in the West by
Benin Republic. Nigeria has over 400 languages spoken, the major ones being
Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani, Edo, Ibibio, Tiv and ofcourse English

I’m from the Igbo tribe. The
Igbo’s own five states (Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi) out of the 36
states (not including Abuja, the Federal Capital) in the country. But of course
states like Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta and Edo are largely
influenced by Igbo culture and language.

Enough about the Geography
though, I get off talking about my country though. Give me a chance, and I’ll
do it for hours, no kidding! The thing though is, your average westerner knows
little or next to nothing about Africa. I was watching this movie sometime, and
in the movie this well-travelled guy had just come back from this awesome world
tour. And he had mementos of his trip to various lands displayed all over his
mansion and all, in a corny way and all. And then this chick comes to his
place, I can’t remember if it’s his girlfriend or ex-wife or secretary. Anyway,
the chick walks in, stares at the mementos with her mouth all agape in a phony
way and all. Like she had never seen anything so beautiful in her life (and
she’s a popular actress too. I would tell you if I could remember). So this
chick asks this big shot about one particular statue that kinda like appealed
to her and all, asks the big shot if he got the statue from Africa. And this
guy with his chin up and all, you know the way big shots like to give you an
answer whenever they think they’re the best thing on Earth, which is usually
like all the time tells the chick, “No, I got it from Egypt.”

Jeez! And you know the crazy
thing though is the movie wasn’t a comedy or anything. The big shot is supposed
to be really smart and sophisticated as hell too. What I’m saying is the
scriptwriter didn’t even known that Egypt is in Africa, and the whole film crew
from the director to the key grip, as well as the actors didn’t known either.
Otherwise someone would have at least mentioned it like, “Excuse me, but Egypt
is in Africa.” But that didn’t happen, and they went on to make the movie, cut
it, package it and release it in theatres worldwide. You see, most of the time
Hollywood gets Africa all wrong. I’m watching the X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie
and the scene where the show Lagos, Nigeria made me wanna puke. Lagos isn’t
anything like what they showed in that movie. And what was that thing Ryan
Reynolds was translating, calling it Igbo. Definitely not the Igbo I speak. But
this isn’t just a Hollywood problem at all, is it. It’s a global problem. The
world gets Africa all wrong. Show a few pictures of people dying in Darfur and
all, and it’s like the whole world wants to save Africa. That just kills me,
Save Africa! What is that? You see big shot rock stars and celebrities coming
out with concerts where they raise funds to save Africa, and the thing though
is, as much of a problem Africa might be in, no amount of those concerts will alleviate
the problems. Their like crumbs for the dogs. And sometimes, I get the feeling
there’s this higher propaganda to keep Africa begging for the crumbs.

I don’t make a big deal out of
it though; neither I’m I trying to be the next Malcolm X or whatever. But you
gotta admit is funny though, in a weird way. The Second largest Continent in
the world next to Asia has to suffer so much.

Africa is a force of nature,
covering over one-fifth of the Earth’s total land surface. Not too many people
know these things, and even those who know, phew
it hardly matters anyway. To such people, Africa is like one country. If
someone travels to Africa, he didn’t travel to say South Africa, or Morocco, or
Ghana. He travelled to Africa, pure and simple. It’s just Africa, not any of
the over 50 nations in it. Even some black people in Western nations call
Africans “booty scratchers”. Isn’t that funny? Yeah it is, in a half-assed way.

I can talk about Africa all
day; its beauty, landscape, wildlife, cultural diversity, spirituality,
mythology, its divine picturesque. I tell you, it’s the perfect place for a
writer to come to. But that’s not what I’m concerned about for now. I just want
people to at least be able to tell that Egypt is in Africa. That’s all.

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Comments 16 comments

I won't just be writing on the HorrorScope: The Chronicles of Paul Marshall. I'll be delving into other topics as well.

\Brenda Scully 7 years ago

My very best friend is from Nigeria, and I look after her 4 kids a lot, the Nigerians that have moved to Ireland, that I have met are the absolute salt of the earth, ...... Tell us everything there is to know about your country, that is what we should all be doing I suppose as we are such a multi national bunch on here...... luv Brenda xx

\Brenda Scully 7 years ago

p.s. I am very ignorant about geography, but my husband is mad on reading about everything African, I just shouted down to him "Is Egypt in Africa"....... He said he could not believe I was asking of course it is..... He hates what the English did in the past even though he is English through and through, and fights the corner all the time in Political discussions....... so there you are, there are lots like him, and I am learning now, I have looked and studied your map.

Make Money 7 years ago from Ontario

Hi fieryci, just had to tell you that we have a couple of Nigerian priests in our diocese here in southern Ontario, Canada. Both good guys. One seems like he has a hard time not smiling when he wishes everyone a good day after the Mass as the congregation leaves. A real happy guy. Nice people.

Mike

Christian HomeBiz 7 years ago

Wow, didn't realize that many languages were spoken in Nigeria. I love geography & it's funny but the same thing (about Egypt being in Africa) happened to me the other day in a conversation. Definitely looking forward to learning more about Africa from you. I've always wanted to visit Africa and I will have to look you up when I do (someday).

James A Watkins 7 years ago from Chicago

Fascinating Hub! I appreciate the beautiful maps. They help put the country in perspective. I look forward to learning more about Nigeria. Thank you!

fierycj 7 years ago from The Fiery Heart of Africa Author

Thanks for the very kind comments. I appreciate them very much.

wordscribe41 7 years ago

Great hub, definitely learned a few thinkgs I didn't know. How many languages can you speak? It's so sad we Americans are so unilingual. Had no idea Nigeria is so big. No doubt about it, people can be pretty uneducated about geography. I am trying to learn, your hub is a great start. Pretty funny about Egypt and the movie!

countrywomen 7 years ago from Washington, USA

FieryCJ- Thanks for the wonderful fan mail. About the mention of Egypt, I still remember in school myself getting it wrong in a quiz competition: The question was which country are we talking about UAR (stands for United Arab Republic)? I don't remember all the choices but I picked Saudi Arabia instead of Egypt. The point I am trying to make is some countries due to there culture,religion and geographical proximity tend to be closely associated with others around. Even Israel in spite of geographically being an Asian country but due to other reasons is being considered for EU membership. Sometimes lines blur and I am not trying to defend the actor who said "Egypt" and meant not being in Africa but just trying to explain that perceptions of people can be clouded by many factors. Of course it could also be ignorance like our ex Gov Ms Palin who thought Africa was a country LOL

Btw you really have a wonderful conversation style of writing and I really enjoyed this hub. Thumbs up for a fantastic hub.

fierycj 7 years ago from The Fiery Heart of Africa Author

Thanks wordscribe. Glad you enjoyed it. Yeah, we sure do have a lot of languages in Nigeria. Its a surprise how we still cope up.

You're welcome, countrywomen. Glad to have you here. I get what you're saying, and I really dont blame people for having those perceptions. I just wish they made more effort to understand, is all. Thanks for liking my hub. Appreciate the comments.

psychicdog.net 7 years ago

Africa is the "Cradle of Civilization" - I always remember that from "When We Were Kings" when Muhammad Ali was the underdog. What did you think of that movie Fierycj?

fierycj 7 years ago from The Fiery Heart of Africa Author

I never really saw that movie. Dont quite know why. But I hear good things. Will have to do that still. Thanks for dropping by, psychicdog.

HOOWANTSTONO 7 years ago

Hi there, some of my buddies went back there from Ireland

Good hub bro.

Cheers

fierycj 7 years ago from The Fiery Heart of Africa Author

That's great to know, HOOWANTSTONO. Appreciate you dropping by.

Ladybird33 7 years ago from Georgia USA

Marvelous Hub! Learned a lot about a place I have heard a lot about but never been. You my friend, have a great talent!